A Local Expert’s Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in New Orleans

New Orleans is known as The Big Easy, but it's not always easy on the wallet! It's a city built around attracting tourists, so naturally everything is going to be on the pricey side. But, if you want to live here full-time, there are a few neighborhoods that are budget-friendly, so you can make rent and still pass a good time every once in a while at the French Quarter. I'm Melissa, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for New Orleans and here's the rundown on the most affordable neighborhoods in New Orleans, Louisiana.

McDonough

McDonoughville, simply called McDonogh by the locals, is a quiet community of cozy houses where you can easily bike or walk to where you need to get to. New Orleans City Park is where you'll find the McDonough Oak, a majestic, spreading oak that is the oldest and largest tree in New Orleans. If you have little ones, a dog or like to shoot some hoops, you might want to check out McDonough Playground. (Dogs must be leashed at all times.) McDonough 35 Senior High School is famous for being the first public four-year high school for African Americans. The city is bike and pedestrian-friendly with downtown New Orleans just a 14-minute bus trip over the river. This trip will take you near Mardi Gras World, where the whimsical Mardi Gras floats for the famous parade are built. Being the oldest neighborhood in Jefferson Parish, it has a diverse population and a rich (if sometimes unpalatable) history. While there are many apartments for rent in McDonough, there are many charming little bungalows that may also fit your budget.

Whitney

The locals describe Whitney as a place of friendly people with immaculate lawns. It is pedestrian-friendly with many sidewalks, but a car is recommended. The neighborhood gets its name from the nearby Whitney Plantation, a relic of Louisiana's checkered history. This non-profit museum is dedicated to educating the public on the history of slavery so that it may never be forgotten or repeated. For something mor modern, there's Deep South Studios, a full-service film, television and digital media production facility that rivals anything Hollywood might have. L.B. Landry High School, home of the mighty Buccaneers, has small class sizes and prides itself on its commitment to excellence. Commuting to work from Whitney may take a good thirty minutes or so. The homes in this area are as eclectic as the people, with a blend of old style and new with those in the flood plain on stilts. Prepare for some off-beat paint colors!

Brechtel

Brechtel is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New Orleans as well as one with the lowest cost of living in the city. It's a delightful mix of both urban and suburban. If your tastes are more bucolic, you might enjoy spending your days off at Brechtel Park, 120 acres of trees and natural scenery, making it a veritable bird watcher's paradise. Bird watchers will also enjoy Collins Park Bird Sanctuary, as will horticulturists as the place is tended by the Tall Timbers Garden Club. The real pride of Brechtel is Benjamin Franklin High School, the number one top-rated public school in New Orleans with stellar academic results and a variety of clubs and organizations. Most residents in Brechtel are homeowners, but there are some rentals if you look around. Most homes here are of the brick ranch style, but there is some variety. Most people living here find their commute to be a brief 15 minutes or so. It's all the convenience of city life with some rustic comforts.

Holy Cross

Located in the Lower Ninth Ward on the bank of the Mississippi, Holy Cross is a place of peaceful charm rarely found in large cities like New Orleans. The nearby levee is perfect for bike rides and tranquil strolls. If you'd like to look at some unique architecture, check out the Doullut Steamboat Houses, buildings made to reflect the appearance of the old steamboats that once ruled the Mighty Missisip. If things get too quiet, you can always explore Music Box Village. This is a site where interactive art and music come into play. Holy Cross gets its name from the congregation that established Holy Cross School in1849. This Catholic school educates boys from Kindergarten to grade 12 and is the alma mater of many NFL players. Many homes in this area have narrow front yards, being set back from the street. You find mostly shotgun houses with a few ranch styles and bungalows. The neighborhood has the feel of a tame village, the downtown area of New Orleans is within view and is just on the other side of the river.

Algier's Point

Located right on the bend of the Mississippi is Algier's Point, a neighborhood that's one of the least expensive in New Orleans but certainly doesn't look it. This cozy and picturesque neighborhood is seeped in history and just a stone's throw from downtown New Orleans while keeping a small-town vibe. If you like jazz music, here's where it was born. Not only are there many clubs and cafés to listen to jazz bands, but you can take a little stroll down the Jazz Walk of Fame, where the highlight is a grinning statue of Louis Armstrong. If you have little ones, you can take them to Confetti Park, named for a whimsical aluminum fence on site. From Kindergarten to eighth grade, these kids can attend Edward Hynes Charter School, a highly recommended school with a student/teacher ratio of 17 to 1, and it even serves edible lunches. The Victorian-style cottages are made of elaborately carved wood and are valued in their uniqueness. Many locals use the ferry to get to the downtown area, but some use it just for a fun and relaxing afternoon cruise.

St. Anthony

This neighborhood may have been named after the patron saint of the lost, but you certainly won't feel lost in this easily navigable neighborhood! St. Anthony is very close to Lake Pontchartrain and Gentilly so you will get to have the best of both worlds, whether it be urban or waterfront. Love Louisiana fried chicken but want something more than Popeye's? Try McKensie's Chicken in a Box. They also serve po boys, three types of pie plus a brownie and a list of sides longer than your arm with bargains for extra-large orders. Plenty of bakeries here too, if you want fresh bread with that chicken. Once Mardi Gras is over, Catholics may head to St. Anthony of Padua Parish for Ash Wednesday services. This stately, pristine church has served parishioners since 1827 and hosts a Montessori-style preschool for children ages 2 and 3. City Park is just a short bike ride or drive away if you want some country scenery without leaving city convenience. The homes here tend to be cozy little bungalows with pastel paint jobs and lush, neat lawns. Porches tend to be slightly elevated as this is in a flood plain.

Hollygrove

Here's the town that Lil Wayne and many other musicians once called home! Hollygrove is a vibrant community steeped in a rich history. There is a strong sense of community among these resilient and hard-working people. If you want a taste of something that was swimming in the Gulf of Mexico just this morning, book a reservation at Cajun Flames. They do catering if you want to share that Cajun spice with your friends. You can catch a ballgame at Larry Gilbert baseball stadium or shop for produce at The Hollygrove Market and Farm. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School is an improving school with experienced teachers and active basketball and football teams. You'll find many shotgun style cottages in this neighborhood, some with the classic white picket fence. There has been some considerable reconstruction since Hurricane Katrina, but that can be said of most of the city.

In Conclusion

New Orleans has long been considered a party city with its associations with Mardi Gras, jazz music and Cajun cuisine. While that reputation is well and proudly earned, there is much more to be seen in this multi-faceted town. It's also a place to relax, be educated, worship, take in art, enjoy natural scenery and raise a family. Whatever it is you want to do in the Big Easy, you're sure to be able to find a way to do it.